Stories from Friday, August 21, 2009

Schools look to 'turnaround'(08/21/09)SIKESTON -- After years of not meeting the state's annual test score targets, Charleston R-1 School District, along with a few other select districts, is working to turn around its low-performing schools following a Virginia university's program. "The change will be the impact in the students, giving them the best possible education they can get. That's our job," said Lori Scheeter, principal of Hearnes Elementary in Charleston...

Law leaves bad taste in smokers' mouths(08/21/09)=SIKESTON -- New tobacco products aimed to comply with recently passed legislation in Missouri designed to cut down on the number of fires caused by cigarettes are taking the heat from quite a few smokers. "Most smokers are just plumb throwing a fit and changing over to anything that's not fire-safe at the time," said Crystal Thompson, manager at Discount Cigarettes and Beer. ...

SHS looks to rebound from 5-win season(08/21/09)SIKESTON-- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team will look to young talent in their quest to rebound from last year's five win season. Last season marked the first time the Lady Bulldogs had not been .500 in the regular season in head coach Steve Beydler's tenure...

Oran will be young in 2009(08/21/09)ORAN -- The Oran Lady Eagles will look to bounce back from their 4-19-2 season last year while having to do it with a small team and many young members. "It's going to be a small team with several young players," Oran head coach Sara Heisserer said. "We only have a varsity team this year, but we hope to have a competitive season."...

Charleston getting back to the basics(08/21/09)CHARLESTON -- With their program not having very much luck in the past few seasons, the Charleston Lady Bluejays volleyball team has only one way to go. "We have no where to go but up," Charleston head coach Kathy Browning said. Entering into her fourth year as volleyball head coach, Browning has the opportunity to coach this year's group of seniors who were freshmen at the time she started. Browning hopes that by having the most exposure to the system it will result in a better season...

Portageville looking to build on last year(08/21/09)PORTAGEVILLE-- The Portageville Lady Bulldogs will look to build on their success last year as they prepare to take the court in the 2009 season. First year head coach Barry Branscum feels his girls can do just that. "We hope to improve on our .500 season last year," said Branscum "I think we will have the girls and ability to do that."...

Dexter must replace top two strikers(08/21/09)DEXTER -- It may be tough to replace their two best strikers from last year's squad, but the Dexter Lady Bearcats volleyball team will look to fill that void with a well-balanced attack. After losing both Cathryn Heil and Jessica Satterfield, who was named the Standard Democrat's volleyball co-players of the year last year, to graduation the Lady Bearcats will have most everyone back from last season's 22-7-3 team...

Robert Badgley(08/21/09)CHARLESTON -- Robert Badgley, 75, died Aug. 20, 2009, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. For more obituaries and stories from the Standard Democrat, click {http://ee.standard-democrat.com...

Jackson Haines(08/21/09)EAST PRAIRIE -- Wayne Jackson Haines, 83, died at 5:03 a.m. Aug. 20, 2009, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

Michael Crowden(08/21/09)CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Michael Allen Crowden, 55, died Aug. 19, 2009, at his home. Funeral arrangements are with the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

Johnny Toton(08/21/09)PEORIA, Ill. -- Johnny Byars Toton, 46, died Aug. 18, 2009, at Peoria. Funeral arrangements are with the DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

Jared R. Birk(08/21/09)JACKSON -- Heaven's special child, Jared Ryan Birk, 20 months, of Jackson was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. Funeral arrangements are with the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...